Nawal A. Abdel HadyICAO MID AGA Expert

ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices for Certification of Aerodromes and Operators Obligations

Cairo/01-05 Oct. 2017

Why to Certify?• Article 15 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation requires

that all aerodromes open to public use under the jurisdiction of a Contracting State provide uniform conditions for the aircraft of all other Contracting States.

Other Requirements• Article 28: Each State undertakes to provide airports and air

navigation services in accordance with the rules and methods established in the Convention

• Article 37: Adoption of International Standards and Procedures

• Article 38: Deviations from international rules and procedures

ICAO Hierarchy vs. State Documentation

National Regulations

National Law

Regional Requirements

ICAO SARPS (Annexes, Manuals, Circulars, Procedures….)

Why certify?• It is a tool to guarantee the safety, regularity and efficiency of operations

air transport.• When a certificate is issued to the aerodrome, for aircraft operators and other

organizations operating on it means that, at the time of certification, it complies withthe specifications relating to the installation and its operation and which, inaccordance with certification authority, the ability to continue to meet thosespecifications during the validity of the certificate.

• Establishes a benchmark for continuous monitoring of compliance withSpecifications.

Why Certify?

“…the lighting and signage at the airport did not measureup to international standards…”

“…No barriers or markings were put up at the start of theclosed runway…”

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Demands for States• Standards and recommended practices (Annex 14)• USOAP CMA Protocol (PQ's)• Protocol (PQ) questions are the main instrument for assessing the level of

Implementation of a State safety oversight system, they are based on:• SARPs, PANSs, documents and other guidance material of ICAO, taking

into account the Critical Elements.

Certification Requirements• Annex 14, Vol. I - 1.4.1 States shall certify aerodromes used

for international operations in accordance with the specifications contained in this Annex as well as other relevant ICAO specifications through an appropriate regulatory framework

Certification Requirements• Annex 14 Vol. I - 1.4.3 The regulatory

framework shall include the establishment of criteria and procedures for the certification of aerodromes.

Certification Requirements• Annex 14 Vol. I -1.4.4 As part of the certification process, States shall

ensure that an aerodrome manual which will include all pertinent information on the aerodrome site, facilities, services, equipment, operating procedures, organization and management including a safety management system, is submitted by the applicant for approval/acceptance prior to granting the aerodrome certificate.

What is the scope of the initial Certification process?

• Infrastructure Compliance and SARPs

• Operational procedures (day to day)

Responsibilities of the Regulator• Ensure the aerodromes under the jurisdiction of the State

offer a safe operational environment in accordance with the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

• Ensure that the State’s obligation under Article 38 of the Convention to notify ICAO of differences between its national regulations and practices and the International Standards contained in Annex 14, Volume I, is met.

Responsibilities of the Regulator

• Establish basic legislation to cover the development and enactment of civil aviation regulations, including aerodrome regulations consistent with its adoption of the Annexes to the Convention

• Establish a safety oversight entity and mechanism, to carry out the functions of certification regulations and continued surveillance.

• Implement an aerodrome certification procedure whereby the State certifies an aerodrome by first approving or accepting the aerodrome manual submitted by the aerodrome operator.

Obligations of the Aerodrome Operator• Part of the Regulatory Frame work • The grant of an aerodrome certificate obliges the aerodrome operator to

ensure the safety, regularity and efficiency of operations at the aerodrome;

• to allow CAA-authorized personnel access to the aerodrome to carry out safety audits, inspections and testing, and

• to be responsible for notifying and reporting as prescribed;

Obligations of the Aerodrome Operator• Compliance with standards and practices• Competence of operational and maintenance

personnel • The aerodrome operator should ensure proper and

efficient maintenance of the aerodrome facilities

Obligations of the Aerodrome Operator• The aerodrome certificate holder shall coordinate with the ATS

provider in order to be satisfied that appropriate air traffic services are available to ensure the safety of aircraft in the airspace associated with the aerodrome.

• The coordination shall cover other areas related to safety such as aeronautical information service, air traffic services, designated meteorological authorities, and security

Obligations of the Aerodrome Operator• Aerodrome operator’s shall establish a safety

management system with a view to: ensuring that operations are carried out in a

demonstrably controlled way and are improved where necessary;

Obligations of the Aerodrome Operator The aerodrome operator shall oblige all users of the

aerodrome, including fixed-base operators, ground handling agencies and other organizations that perform activities independently at the aerodrome in relation to flight or aircraft handling, to cooperate and comply with the requirements laid down by the aerodrome operator with regard to safety at the aerodrome and monitor such cooperation and compliance;

Obligations of the Aerodrome Operator• Aerodrome operator shall arrange for internal safety audits

and safety reporting and retain such reports.• An aerodrome operator shall allow access to personnel, so

authorized by the CAA, to any part of the aerodrome or any aerodrome facility, including equipment, records, documents and operator personnel

Obligations of the Aerodrome Operator• An aerodrome operator shall adhere to the requirement to notify

and report to the CAA, air traffic control and pilots within the specified time limits required by the regulations including:

notification of inaccuracies in aeronautical information service (AIS) publications;

Notification of changes to the aerodrome facilities, equipment and level of service planned in advance;

Obligations of the Aerodrome Operator issues requiring immediate notification including obstacles, obstructions and hazards, level

of service and Immediate notification to pilots• An aerodrome operator shall inspect an aerodrome, as circumstances require, to

ensure aviation safety.• Removal of obstructions from the aerodrome surface• post hazard warning notices on any public way that is adjacent to the maneuvering

area